Thank you for four years of sweetness Ebony

The girls are going strong

We have dark brown, light brown, blue smooth, blue bumpy, speckled tan, green, big white, teeny white and tiny long white. Occasionally we even have a double yolk from the green egg...that would be the overachieving Sophia.

My foe

The majority of the slugs I am disposing of each evening (via a pair of scissors) are these European Red Slugs. I have found it interesting that there is absolutely no evidence of their demise the next morning. I'm not certain if they are being cannibalized or eaten by the earthworms throughout the night (both possible options...so I've read). Perhaps one of these warm days I will camp out in the dark night and play private eye. Anyone want to join me?

CSA Update - May 2011

Here we go. The growing season has finally arrived. Are you ready? I am!

I placed compost on all the raised beds and worked it into the soil. Kent said I was a sight to see because I climbed into each bed, hunkered down with a small shovel and got to work. I was filthy. I went down about 10” and used my hands to break each clod of soil and mix it with the compost. It took me all week but I’m pleased with the results. I came across hundreds of worms and sorted them- the earthworms went to the chickens and the red wrigglers went into the worm bin. I wasn’t worried about removing them because many got away and will be there to help aerate the soil. With my iPod in and John Denver, Neil Diamond, Newsboys or Casting Crowns accompanying my every move, I found it to be a truly spiritual experience. I’m just happy that no one came for an impromptu visit while I was at work!

With the soil prepared for planting, I spent a few days planting seeds in the main garden. This year I decided to plant everything there and transplant to the side and north gardens when the plants are bigger. It seems easier to protect them from the never ending slugs if I keep them all in the same place. This way I can go out each night with my flashlight and scissors and do them in. Going organic all the way.

The only seed I haven’t planted is corn because they don’t transplant well and the north garden is still pretty damp and cold. Hopefully I will have them in the ground in the next week (depending upon the weather.) I have also chosen to hold off on transplanting the tomatoes and peppers to the main garden until next week because they are doing well in the cold frames and there is no advantage to getting in the ground now.

I’m experimenting with a few new approaches this year including growing potatoes above ground. I have two burlap bags rolled down to about 8” with potatoes planted at the bottom and covered with a light layer of soil. As the potato leaves grow up, I will cover them with more soil. I’m also growing the majority of the potatoes in straw this year. After weeding and lightly scratching the soil, I placed the potato bits directly on top of the ground and placed straw on them. They already have sprouted leaves and I put another layer on straw on top. This method is supposed to make for easier harvesting and cleaner spuds. Let’s hope so.

Another experiment I am doing this year is planting in straw bales. This method allows me to expand my growing space because I set the bales on ground (even concrete in one area) that I can’t normally use except for trailing vines. I kept each bale bound, topped them with organic steer manure (that was hard to find!) soaked it completely and covered it with burlap bags I got from Longbottom Coffee. This will allow the straw to “heat up” and start to decompose. After they cool down, I will transplant some of the cucumbers and pumpkins into the top of the bales and let them do their thing. They will require more water and fertilizer than plants in the soil so I will set up soaker hoses and use fish fertilizer on them.

Last year I was able to get the first filled baskets to everyone at the end of May but it looks as if we will have to wait until early to mid-June this year. The weather has been much too cool and wet for everything except a few herbs and the rhubarb. The peas haven’t even flowered yet. Don’t despair though, this just means the growing season will extend into October. Yay!

Next month I will update you on the bees and the chickens. I have thousands of happy, spoiled ladies ready to share their bounty with you.

I need to collect the two baskets you wish me to use for your produce. They can be anything you have on hand but at least the size of a small laundry basket. Once I have them in hand and fill the one for the week, you just need to make certain that you bring back your empty basket when you pick up your next delivery the following week. Thank you for assisting with the basket acquisition.

Anytime you would like to come out and visit the gardens, just let me know.

With love,

Tarri